Former Duke basketball star [autotag]RJ Barrett[/autotag] and his Canadian teammates defeated Spain 88-85 at the 2024 Olympic Games on Friday, ending pool play with a perfect 3-0 record.
The undefeated Canadian team exploded with 30 second-quarter points, leading by double-digits at the midway point. Spain attempted to climb back, outscoring Canada by eight points over the last two quarters, but fell just short of the comeback.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a 2023-24 NBA MVP finalist, made two free throws in the closing seconds to preserve the win.
Barrett, who led the Canadian team in scoring for both of its first two wins, scored 16 points against Spain. The former Blue Devil ended the three-game run through pool play with 21.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
Canada now clinches a spot in the quarterfinals. With [autotag]Jayson Tatum[/autotag] and Team USA winning their first two games in Group C, Duke fans will have at least two different former Blue Devils to root for in Paris once the elimination bracket begins.
Incoming freshman [autotag]Khaman Maluach[/autotag], who plays for South Sudan, could join them in the final eight depending on his team’s result against Serbia on Saturday.